"maybe you are searching among the branches for what appears Only in the roots"

March 22, 2017

Golden Land of Dreams and Legends “LAHORE”

Few cities in the Indian subcontinent can be said to have had a more chequered history than Lahore, a city ruled by Hindu kings, Mughal emperors, Sikh monarchs and British sovereigns. There was something strikingly unusual about this golden land of dreams and legends. An embodiment of fabulous wealth and splendor, Lahore had captured the imagination of mighty men from far and near. For centuries, the city had attracted trade caravans, plundering hordes and conquerors in search of wealth and power. Scholars, historians and travelers passing through the city were enchanted by its majesty and grandeur. In the heyday of its glory as the imperial capital of Mughals, a proverbial saying often heard was that

“Isfahan and Shiraz together would not equal even half of Lahore”.

Jon Milton (1608-74) mentions Lahore among the cities seen by Adam from the hill of Paradise: